Red Zeppelin

Family: Amaryllidaceae Bulb Onion

Planting Schedule

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Aromatically pungent at first touch, Red Zeppelin forms handsome, deep garnet-red bulbs that hold their color with a confident, glossy sheen.

The flesh is crisp and well-layered, offering a balanced bite that sweetens beautifully when cooked down and shines in fresh preparations. Ideal for intermediate-day gardeners seeking reliable bulbing and long-lasting storage, Red Zeppelin is a standout for hearty sauces, roasting, and pickling-style preserves.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 110 DaysHabit: Bulbing

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Red Zeppelin Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 3a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 3b	Apr 7th	May 12th	Aug 30th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Apr 3rd	May 8th	Aug 26th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 1st	May 6th	Aug 24th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 27th	May 1st	Aug 19th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 23rd	Apr 27th	Aug 15th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 20th	Apr 24th	Aug 12th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Mar 14th	Apr 18th	Aug 6th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Mar 9th	Apr 13th	Aug 1st – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 27th	Apr 3rd	Jul 22nd – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 18th	Mar 25th	Jul 13th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Feb 9th	Mar 16th	Jul 4th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 23rd	Feb 27th	Jun 17th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 29th	Feb 2nd	May 23rd – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 19th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 19th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 19th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 19th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 19th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 19th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 19th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 19th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	110
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Bulbing
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	50
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Red Zeppelin brings that classic allium kick that mellows into a syrupy, garnet-sweet finish, with layers that don’t turn to mush as quickly as some onions. Use it when you want visible color and a confident bite—then let time and heat do the sweet work.

Best Uses

caramelized base for braises and long-simmer sauces
roasting whole or in thick wedges for jammy edges
quick-pickling-style preserves where a clean snap matters
fresh preparations where the crisp layers can be eaten through

Flavor Profile

sharp, aromatic pungency on first cut crisp, layered crunch with a sweet-cook transformation balanced bite—red-bulb color stays vivid

Kitchen Pairings

balsamic vinegar beef or lamb thyme gruyère smoked paprika mustard

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most likely on Allium cepa (red onion) and how can I prevent it?

Watch for onion thrips and downy mildew, which are common on Allium cepa. Use preventive sprays only if needed: remove any infected leaves early (yellowing tips or fuzzy gray/whitish growth), keep foliage dry by watering at the soil line, and rotate onion family crops so they’re not grown in the same bed for at least 3 years. If you see thrips, use insecticidal soap and target the undersides of leaves, repeating as new growth appears.

How often should I water Allium cepa during the main growing phase?

During active leaf growth and bulb sizing, keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—about 1 inch of water per week, split into 2–3 waterings if it’s hot or windy. Check moisture: the top 1–2 inches should be moist, but the bed should drain well. Stop frequent watering once most tops start to yellow and fall over so the bulbs can dry and cure.

How do I tell when red onions (Allium cepa, Red Zeppelin type) are ready to harvest?

Harvest when about half of the tops have flopped over and the necks are thinning, with dry, papery skins covering the bulb. Gently lift one or two plants to confirm bulb size matches your expected mature diameter and that skins are fully colored. Choose a dry day, then cure bulbs in a warm, airy place out of direct sun for about 2–3 weeks before storage.